Folding chair.



F. BLA'NDO.

FOLDING CHAIR. APPLICATION FlLED JULY 12, I916.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET l- BLANDO. FOLDING CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED JULIIIZ-I916.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- F. BLANDO.

FOLDING CHAIR.

APPLICATION FlLED JULY 12. 1916.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ild

FRANK BLALNDO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING CHAIR.

aerate.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

Application filed July 12, 1916. Serial No. 108,8'i'f1l.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that l, FRANK BnANoo, a subject of the King of Italy,residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Folding Chairs, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to folding chairs, and has for its object toprovide an improved structure which may be folded compactly and carriedlike a satchel or suitcase, and which may be unfolded to form anordinary arm-chair, or a steamer chair with adjustable back and footrests, or a cot bed for use on camping trips or the like. Subsidiaryobjects will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention will be first hereinafter de' scribed in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters areused to designate corresponding parts throughout. the several views, andthen more particularly defined in the'claims at the end of thedescription.

Tn the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device folded intoapproximately the compass of an ordinary suitcase.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the device partly opened orunfolded.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure adjusted as an ordinaryarm-chair.

Fig. -l is a side elevation of the device ar ranged as a steamer orlounging chair.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the structure arranged as a cot bed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of one corner of the device foldedas in Fig. 1, showing one of the pivoted keepers f0rre taining thedevice in folded position released from its latch.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the hinged extensionof the back frame, showing it fastened in line with the main back frame.

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a means for locking the legs inunfolded position.

Fig. 9 is a broken front elevation of the upper portion of the backframe with part of its covering displaced to show the. means forreleasing the bolts which look said back frame at different angles withrespect to the seat frame.

Fig. 10 is a broken plan view of the meeting portions of the seat andback frames, showing the means for locking thefoot supporting frame infolded position within said seat frame.

Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of one of the locks for holdingthe back frame at different angles with respect to the seat frame.

Fig. 12 is a detailed view of one of the spring latches which aredesigned to engage the hinged keepers for locking the extension of theback frame in folded position as in Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a detailed view of one of the hasps on the extension framefor locking the same in line with the back frame of the device, saidhasp being shown in its folded position upon said extension frame, and

Fig. 14 is a detailed sectional view through the free end portions ofthe back frame and inclosing frame, showing the perforated lugs on theback frame engaged by the hasps on the extension frame and also by thelatches on the inclosing frame.

The structure.comprises essentially a seat frame 1, a back frame 2hinged at 3 to the rear edge of the seat frame, legs 4 foldably carriedby the seat frame, a foot supporting frame 5 hinged to the front edge ofthe seat frame, and an inclosing frame 6 also hinged to the rear edge ofthe seat frame and designed to. cover the legs when the structure isfolded up into compact form as shown in Fig. 1.

The legs a are j oined together in front and rear pairs, both pairshinged at 7 to the under face of the seat frame, the two front legsswinging together and the two rear legs swinging together. The frontlegs are spaced farther apart than the rear legs in order to permit thelatter to fold between the former as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A.pair of bracing links 8 and 9 connects each of the rear legs to thefront leg on the same side, the link 8 being pivoted to the upper end ofthe rear leg, the link 9 pivoted to the lower end portion of the frontleg and said links 8 and 9 being pivoted together at their otherextremities; as at 10. The link 8 is longer than the link 9 to permitthe former to fold first against the bottom of the seat frame, and thelink 9 to afterward swing about on the pivot 10 so as to overlap theadjacent end portion of the link 8. To further brace the legs inunfolded position a pair of links 11 and 12 are arranged on each side,the link 11 being pivoted to the lower end portion of the rear leg, thelink 12 being pivoted to the links 8 and 9 at 10, and said links 11 and12 being pivoted together at their other ends as at 13. This pivotedconnection 13 is preferably formed by a rod 14 extending across from onepair of links 11 and 12 at one side of the chair to the correspondingpair of links on the other side of the chair, so that both sets of links11 and 12 may be folded or unfolded together. Shoulders 15 on the lowerend portions of the rear legs serve as stops for limiting the downwardswing of the links 11 at a point where the pivotal connection 13 betweensaid links 11 and the links 12 is below the line determined by the pivotpoint 10 and the point of connection of the link 11 to the rear leg. Thelinks 11 and 12 will thus be supported in a slight downwardly brokenposition when the legs are unfolded as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, inwhich position they will be normally held by gravity until it is desiredto fold up the structure. To hold the links 8 and 9 in extendedposition, a swinging frame 16 is pivoted to the upper ends of the frontlegs and carries-a cross piece 17 having notches 18 adapted to snap intosupplemental notches 19 in the links 8. When the notches 18 and 19 areengaged, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the bracing links 8 and 9 will bepositively retained in extended position and the legs held rigidlyopened or unfolded.

The foot supporting frame 5 folds fiat on top of the seat frame, and thepillow 20 may be placed between the coverings of said frames to form acushion in the seat when the chair is used as shown in Fig. 3. When thefoot supporting frame is swung out on its hinges 21, as illustrated inFigs. 4 and'5, the

pillow 20 is exposed and may be used either as a cushion or a head rest.The free end of the frame 5 is equipped with folding supports 22 whichmay be retained in folded position by spring clips 23. It will be observed that the frame 5 folds within the plane of the side pieces of theseat frame which pieces are provided with sockets 24, Fig. 10, toreceive the ends of spring-pressed sliding bolts 25 mounted on the freeedge of the frame 5 and having finger pieces 26 located near the middleof said edge. It is obvious from the showing in Fig. 10 that by pressingthe finger pieces together the bolts or rods 25 will be withdrawn fromthe notches 2-1 in the side pieces of the frame 1, permitting the frame5 to be swung outward from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the positionillustrated in Figs. at and 5. When the frame is in folded position,Figs. 3 and 10, the springs 27 will hold the rods or bolts 25 inengagement with the sockets 24 and lock the foot supporting frame infolded position.

As best shown in Fig. 11, the back frame 2 carries a pivoted latch 28 ateach side adapted to engage any one of a series of notches orperforations 29 in a plate 30 secured t0 the rear end of each of theside pieces of the seat frame 1. The latch 28 is normally held inngagement with one of the notches 29 by a spring 31 interposed betweenan angularly bent arm 32 of the lever and the side bar of the frame 2.The free end of the arm 32 has a link 33 pivoted thereto. The other endof said link is connected by wires 34 which extend up along the innerface of said side bar of the frame 2. to a cross bar 35 mounted onheaded pins 36 depending from the cross piece of the extension frame 38at the end of the back frame 2. The cross bar 35 is normally retained inits lowest position where it rests upon the heads of the pins 36 bysprings 37 coiled around said pins between said bar and the cross piece.The outer covering of the extension frame 38 is provided with a plaitedportion 39, Fig. 9, opposite the middle of the bar 35 to providesufficient fullness at that point in the covering to permit the fingersof the operator to be brought into engagement with the under face of thebar for raising it against the action of the springs 37 in order toretract the latches 28 from the notches 29, thus permitting the backframe 2 to be adjusted at different angles with respect to the seatframe 1. In order to effect the proper operation of the latch 28, thelink 33 bears at an intermediate point against a pin 10 rigidly securedto the frame 2. It will be readily understood that when the wires 34,Fig. 11, are pulled upward, as when the bar 35 is raised, the upper endof the link will move to the left, whereupon the arm 32 of the latch 28to which the lower end of said link is attached will be moved to theright owing to the bearing of the middle portion of said link againstthe pin -10. This movement of the arm 32 to the right will, of course,effect a movement of the lower end of the latch in the oppositedirection, resulting in its withdrawal from the notch 29 with which ithad been engaged. While three of the notches 29 are shown, providing fora corresponding number of adjustments of the back frame, it will beunderstood that the number of notches and adjustments may be varied tosuit requirements.

Arms 41 are hinged at 42 to the back frame 2, and are connected to theseat frame 1 by straps 43 hinged at 44 to the under faces of the arms,and at 45 to the upper face of the seat frame, said straps and armsforming parallelograms with the seat and back frame so that the armswill be automatically folded or unfolded when the back frame is swungupon its hinges 3. The front end portions of the side pieces of theframe 1 are tat/acne position so that blocks 49 carried by the hingedend of said frame and other blocks 50 carried by the free end thereofmay fill out the spaces at opposite ends of the folded legs 4, see Fig.1, and to also permit said frame 6'to be swung upward so as to lieagainst. the rear face of the back frame 2, as illustrated in Fig. 3.The frame 6 may be secured in the latter position by pivoted latches 51,Figs. 2 and 12, mounted on the free end of said frame and projectinginto sockets or depressions 52 therein. Each of the latches 51 ispressed by a spring 53 for normally holding it in locked position in thesocket 52. Perforated lugs 54 projecting from the rear of the backmember are adapted to enter the sockets 52 and have their perforationsengaged by the latches 51 for locking the frame 6 to the back frame 2,as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The latches 51 may be retracted bymeans of a wire 54 connected thereto and. extending along the free edgeof the frame 6. Access to the wire 54 is to be had through a plaitedportion 39 of the covering of the frame 6, see Fig. 2.

The same latches 51 are used for securing the extension frame 38 to thefree edge of the inelosing frame 6 when the device is folded, as shownin Fig. 1. In this instance, pivoted keepers 55, Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7have their perforated portions 56 inserted in the sockets 52 so that thelatches may engage said perforated portions 56.

The extension frame 38 is rule-jointed to the free end of the back frame2 by means of the hinges 57 arranged on the inner faces of said frames.tension frame to be folded at right angles to the back frame when thedevice is folded up, or to be extended inline with said back frame whenthe device is unfolded, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The extensionframe may be locked in extended position by hasps 58, Figs. 7 and 13,which are pivoted to the outer face of said extension frame and providedwith slots to fit over the perforated lugs 54". These hasps, whenengaged with the lugs 54', will not interfere with said lugs enteringthe sockets 52 in the frame 6, so that the extension frame may be lockedin extended position and the inclosing frame 6 secured to the outer faceof the back frame 2 at the same time. has an angular extension 59 on itspivoted end adapted to engage a spring leaf 60 for holding the hasp infolded position when the These hinges permit the ex-- Each of the hasps58 device is collapsed or knocked down. The free end of each hasp isbifurcated and the portions at opposite sides of the bifurcation arebent in opposite directions, as indicated at 600, Fig. 7. Thisconstruction presents an upwardly extending finger piece, namely one ofthe parts 600, in either portion of the hasp, that is, when it isfolded, Fig, 13, and also ghen it is engaged with the lug 54, Fig.

When the device is folded up as shown in Fig. 1, the inclosing frame 6covers the under side of the seat frame and conceals the folded legs,While the back frame 2 covers the top of the seat frame. The extensionframe 38 connects the back frame 2 to the inclosing frame 6 and coversthe front edge of the seat frame. The frames 2, 6, and 38 are preferablycovered on the outside by suitable waterproof material 61 which alsoextends along the double hinges 48 so as to cover the rear edge of theseat frame. This waterproof covering may be made in one piece extendingfrom the free end of the frame 6 along said frame, across the rear edgeof the seat frame, along the back frame and across the extension frame,so that when the device is folded it will have the appear ance of asuitcase or traveling bag.

it handle 62 is secured to one side piece of the seat frame for carryingthe device when folded. As an additional means of securing the structurein folded position, a strap 63 may be fastened around it, as shown inFig. 1, said strap being preferably passed below the handle 62. A pocket64 may be formed in the lining of the inclosing frame 6 for carryingvarious articles of use to travelers.

It will be understood, of course, that the back frame, seat frame andfoot supporting frame are covered on the inside with canvas or othersuitable material 65. The pillow 20 is placed between these coverings ofthe seat frame and foot supporting frame to form a cushion seat when thechair is used as shown in Fig. 3.

When the back frame is let down to the position shown in Fig. 5, itsouter end is supported by strips 66 suitably hinged to the frame 6 andconnected at their outer ends by a cross piece 67. When the back frameis raised, the strips 66 are folded flat against the inside face of theframe 6 and are secured in folded position by a pivoted latch 68, Fig.3. The free end of the frame 6 may also be provided with a handle bar 69I for convenience in folding or unfolding the device.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A folding chair comprising a seat frame, legsattached to thebottom ofsaid frame and adapted to fold upon the same, an inclosing frame tocover the legs and bottom.

of the seat frame, and an extension frame 'on the back frame forconnecting the latter to the inclosing frame at the front edge of theseat frame.

2. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame, of a back framehinged thereto, a latch for holding the back frame at a predeterminedposition with respect to the seat frame, resilient means for normallyholding the latch in operative position, said latch having an angularlybent arm, a link pivoted to said arm, a fixed pin against which themiddle portion of said link bears, and means attached to the free end ofthe link for swinging the same upon said pin as a fulcrum for retractingthe latch.

3. In a folding chair the combination with a seatframe, of a back framehinged thereto, a latch for holding the back frame at a predeterminedposition with respect to the seat frame, resilient means for normallyholding the latch in operative position, said latch having an angularlybent arm, a link pivoted to said arm, a fixed pin against which themiddle portion of said link bears, and wires attached to the free end ofthe link-and extending up near to the top of the back frame for swingingsaid link upon the pin as a fulcrum for retracting the latch.

4. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame, of a back framehinged thereto, latches at the sides of the back frame for securing saidframe in a predetermined position with respect to the seat frame,depending headed bolts near the top of the back frame, a cross barmounted on said bolts, springs coiled about said bolts for normallyholding the cross bar down against the heads of the bolts, and wiresconnecting the latches with said cross bar whereby said latches will beretracted Whenthe cross bar is raised.

5. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame, of a back framehinged thereto, a latch for holding the back frame in a predeterminedposition with respect to the seat frame, a cross bar carried by theupper end portion of the back frame, means of connection between saidcross bar and the latch whereby the latter will be retracted when thecross bar is raised, and an outer covering for the back frame inclosingthe latch and its operating means, said covering having a plaitedportion opposite the cross bar to permit the same to be actuated throughthe cover.

6. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame, of a back framehinged thereto, a latch for holding the back frame at a predeterminedposition with respect to the seat frame, an extension frame hinged tothe upper end of the back frame'and adapted to be turned at right anglesthereto, n'ieans carried by said extension frame for operating thelatch, and flexible connections between said latch and'opcrating means.

7. In a folding chair the combination with a back frame of an extensionframe hinged to its upper end and adapted to be turned at right anglesthereto, lugs on one frame, hasps pivoted to the other frame and adaptedto engage said lugs for holding the extension frame in line with theback frame, angular extensions on the pivoted end portions of saidhasps, and springs to engage said project-ions for retaining the haspsin folded position when not engaged-with the lugs.

8. In a folding chair the combination with a back frame, of an extensionframe hinged to its upper end and adapted to be turned at right anglesthereto, lugs on one frame, hasps pivoted 0n the other frame and adaptedto engage said lugs for holding the extension frame in line with theback frame,

and oppositely bent finger pieces on the ends of said hasps for thepurpose specified.

In a folding chair the combination with a back frame of an extensionframe hinged to its upper end and adapted to be turned at right anglesthereto, lugs on one frame, and hasps pivoted on the other frame andadapted to engage said lugs for holding the extension frame in line withthe back frame. the outer ends of said hasps being bifurcated and theportions at opposite side of said bifurcations bent in oppositedirections for the purpose specified.

10. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame, of a backframe hinged to the rear edge thereof, folding legs carried by the seatframe, an inclosing frame also pivoted to the rear edge of the seatframe and adapted to cover the legs when folded, and means for fasteningthe free end of the inclosing frame to the back frame when the chair isunfolded.

11. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame of a back framehinged to the rear edge thereof, folding legs carried by the said frame,an inclosing frame also hinged to the rear edge of the seat frame andadapted to cover the legs when folded, perforated lugs on the backframe, there being sockets in the inclosing frame to receive said lugs,and latches in said sockets adapted to interlock with the perforationsin the lugs for securing the inclosing frame to the back frame. when thechair is unfolded.

12. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame of a back framehinged to the rear edge thereof, folding legs carried by the seat frame.an inclosing frame also pivoted to the rear edge of the seat frame andadapted to cover the legs when folded, an extension frame hinged to thefree end of the back frame, means for locking the extension frame to theinclosing frame when the chair is folded, and means for securing theinclosing frame to the back frame when the chair is unfolded.

13. In a folding chair the combination for interlocking with saidkeepers for secur--.

ing the chair in folded position.

14:. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame of a, backframe hinged to the rear edge thereof, folding legs carried 10 the seatframe, an inclosing frame also hinged to the rear edge of the seat frameand adapted to cover the legs when folded, an extension frame hinged tothe free end of the back frame, perforated keepers on the extensionframe, there being sockets onv the inclosing frame to receive saidkeepers when the chair is folded, latches on the sockets forinterlocking with said keepers for securing the chair in foldedposition, an operating wire attached to said latches'and extendingacross the inclosing frame, and a covering for said inclosing framehaving a plaited ortion opposite said wire to permit access t ereto foroperating the latches.

15. In a folding chair the combination with a seat frame, of a backframe hinged to the rear edge thereof, folding legs carried by the seatframe, an inclosing frame also hinged to the rear edge of the seat frameand adapted to cover the legs when folded,

an extension frame hinged to the free end of the back frame, erforatedkeepers on the extension frame, there being sockets in the inclosingframe to receive said keepers when the chair is folded, perforated lugson the back frame adapted to enter said sockets when the chair isunfolded, and latches in said sockets for interlocking with said keepersfor securing the chair in folded position, and with said lugs forsupporting the inolosing frame from the back frame when the chair isunfolded.

16. In a folding chair the combination of a seat frame, of,a back framehinged to the rear edge thereof, folding legs carried by the seat frame,an inclosing frame also hinged to the rear edge of the seat frame andadapted to cover the legs when folded, an extension frame hinged to thefree end of the back frame and adaptedto be turned at right anglesthereto, pivoted lugs on the back frame, hasps pivoted on the extensionframe and adapted to engage said lugs for holding the extension frame inline with the back frame, there being sockets in the inclosing frame toreceive the lugs, and latches in said sockets adapted to interlock withthe perforations in said lugs after the hasps are engaged therewith forsupporting the inclosing frame from the back frame when the chair isunfolded.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

